Control valve mechanism for gas furnaces



Aug. 25, 1931. v G A. TUCK. 1,820,510

CONTROL VALVE MECHANISM FOR GAS FURNACES Filed Sept. 22, 1950 GEORGE A. Tuck. vh Nv N |||||Il H .Sigi-ffl Patented ug. 25, 193i l UNITED STATES PAT-ENT'oF'FlcE .GEORGE agruc'x, or .SAN FRANCISCO, CALIronNiA CONTROL VALVE-MEHANISM FOR GAS FURNAGES Application led'September- 22, I1930. Serial No. 483,605.

ing a control valveto automatically open.

andv close gas supply connection simulta- 1.5 neously with the opening and closing of a pilot valve respectively.

Anotherpbject is to provide an improved valve control mechanism whereby a main control valve is actuated bythe operation v of atliermostatically controlled pilot valve to open the: control valve when the pi-lot is burning, and to automatically close the con'- trol valve when the pilotis extinguished. A further object is to provide an improved control valve operating mechanism actuated by a positive application of gas pressure in valve opening or closing direction.

- Another object is to provide animproved.

mechanisnfof the character described where- 0 in a single thermostaticall'y controlled valve member is' operative/to control the supply of gas to a pilot burner, and to a contro valve operating mechanism controlling the supply of gas to a main burner.

A further object 'is to provide an improved device of the character disclosed which is simple and economical in construction and whichis simple, positive, cient in operation.

A still further object is to provide an improved structure embodying improved features of construction, arrangement, and operation.

I accomplish these and other'objects by means of the improved device disclosed in the drawings forming@J part of the present applicationwhereinlike characters of reference are used to designate similar parts throughoutthe specification and drawings,

land in which- 'a suitable main valve 3 vis thermostatically oontrolle Fig. 1 is a plan view 'of my improved control valve mechanism;

Fig. section ofthe device as shown in Fig. 3 is a vertical mid-section of the valve structure,the ligure being drawn upon a larger scale. Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 is used to designate in general a main supply pipe connected to a furnacel 'burner 2 to supply gas thereto from a source of supply. The supply pipe 1 isprovided with by which the sup- Fig.. 1; and

ply of fuel to the burner or closedmanually or by mechanical means,

as desired. The supply pipe 1 is also pro'4 vided with a main control valve 4 mounted Athereon upon'the supply side of the valve 3 supply of gas for opening vand closing` the independently of themain valve 3.

The control'valve 4 may be of any suit- 2 is a broken longitudinal vertical 2 may be opened 'able construction wherein a movable mem, ber 6 1s moved to seat upon a valve seat 5 to close the valve and to be unseated to permit a flow of gas through the valve. The member 6 is preferably provided with a stem 7 extending axiallyconnected to a movable partition 9 mdunted within the chamber to divide the same`into 'upper `'and lower compartments 1'1 and-12 respectively. The partition 9 is of any suitl able structure adapted to yield`under the pressure of gas supplied into one or the other of the compartments 11er 12, whereby theA partition may be displaced within the chamber to seat or unseat,the.valve pilot into a chamber 8 and4 l member 6, and thereby close o r open the valve 4. 1 A pilot the burner 2I upona mounting member 16 Fuel is supplied to the pilot burner` 14 through a pilot supply connection.' 17 provided with a pilot valve designated ingeneral by the numeral 18. The pilot valve 18 by suitable heat responsivemechanism, preferably such as illustrated in vthe drawings, and consistburner 14 is mounted adjacent to ing briefly of a lever 19 pivoted near one end thereof and engaged at its short end by a rod 20 extending axially through the l burner 14, and at its opposite end by a movdelivery able valve member 21 nounted within thel pilot valve 18. The construction and operation of the thermostatic valve operatingl vand delivery portions of the supply con- `passage formed b ferred to, an

nection 17 are connected respectively. The ports 22 and 23 are arranged to be covered b the movable valve member 21 to shut off tliye supply of gas to they pilot burner 14, and to be uncovered to permit a flow of gas through the valve 18 to said burner when the member 21 is moved to its open position. JThe valve 18 is also provided with a pair of spaced controlinlet ports 24 and 26 and with a pair of spaced control delivery ports 27 and 28. The inlet ports 24 and 26 communicate with a supply'yoke 29 to which' a supplg connection 31 is connected to supply gas t creto, the connection 31 preferably being connected in any convenient manner to thepilot supply connection 17. The delivery ports 27 and 28 communicate with delivery connections 32 and 33 connected into the upper and lower compartments 11 and 12 of the chamber 8 respectively. The ports 27 and 28 vare preferably arranged opposite and slightly olset with respect to the corresponding inlet ports 24 and 26. The valve memberv21`is provided with reduced portions .34 and 36 providing passages by which gas may flow from the ports 24 and 26 to the ports 27 and' 28 respectively when the `valvemember is moved to opening relationv thereto, as hereinafter more fully described. I i

.Vent passages 37 and 38 are formed in .the valve 18 adjacent tothe delivery ports 27 and' 28-respectively. The vent 37 communicates with the port 27 through the the reduced portion 34 of the valve mem er 21 when in one position, and the vent 38 communicates with the port 28 in a corresponding manner when the valve member 21 1s moved to the opposite position, thereb opening the delivery connections 32 `an compartments of the'chamber 8 to the atmosphere when the valve member is moved to corresponding positions.

- The pilot connection 17 is provided with a pilot lighter 39 controlled by avalve'40, as in my cogiending application above rea suitable regulating valve 41- is mounted uplon the su ply connection 17 to regulate t e flow o gas to the pilot valve 18. -1

In operation, the pilot burner -14 is started by opening the valves 41 and 40. Gas then 33 and the corresponding Laadti issuing from the lighter 39 islignited and directed againstthe pilot burner 14. As the pilot burner is heated, the expansion of the burner member causes the rod 20 to be moved axially away from the adjacent end of thelever l9 ,`thereby permitting the leverv to be displaced and the valve member 21 to While the valve member 21 is in closed position, the reduced portion 34 is arranged to match with 4the supply port 24 and its corresponding delivery port 27 ,thereby permitting a How of gas from the supply into the upper compartment 11 of the )chamber- 8. At the same time, the reduced portion 36 is moved to connect the delivery port 28 with its vent 38, while'the corresponding inlet port 26 is covered by the body of the valve member 21 .to close olf the supply of gas therethrough, as indicated in full lines in Fig. 2 and in dotted lines in `Fig. 3 of the drawings. The pressure of the gas admitted through the delivery connection 32 to the compartment 11 causes the partition 9 to be displaced downwardly, thereby mow,

ing the valvel member 6 to seat and clos-e the control valve 4. l

When the valve member 21 is moved to open position, as above described, the reduced portion 36 is moved downwardly to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3

of the drawings, thereby causing the supply port 24 to be closed and to connect the delivery port 27 with its Vent 37. At the same time, the reduced portion 36 is moved to communicate between the inlet 26 and the delivery port 28, the vent 38 beirg closed. i In this position, gas llows through the ports 26 and 28 to the delivery connection 33 and thence tol the compartment'12, thereby d1- rectin'g pressure upon the under side of the partition 9. As the vent 371is then open and the pressure above the partition thereby released, the pressure applied upon the under side ofthe partition causes the /ipartition to be displaced upwardly andthe v ve member 6 moved to disengage its seat open' the valve 4. i g

So long asthe pilot valve 21 remains in its open position, the gas pressure directed to the chamber 12 operates to maintain the i control valve 4 in open position andthe supply of fuel to the' furnace Iburner 2 may' 20 ing valve 3, and any bemegulated through the-main valve 3 in the Ordinar manner.

Should t e pilot tinguished, the 5 diately cool and contract suiiiciently to force the rod against the lever 19` and there# by cause the lever to move the pilot valve member 21 to its. closed position. As the member-'21 is moved to 0 pilot supply ports 22 and 23 .are .closed to prevent the escape of gas to the pilot burner, and at-the same time the'reduced portions burner 14 become 4eX- 34 and 36 are moved to direct gas into thev upper compartment 11 and to open the *lower 5 compartment 12 to the atmosphere, thereby displacing the partition 12 downwardly and closing the control valve 4. In this manner, the supplyof gas tothe main burner 2 is cut ofi' in back ofthe mainregulatmanipulation ofthe valve 3 willl not permit an escape of gas jtlarough theburner 2 while the pilot is extinguishe While I have illustrated only one emz'bodiment of my improved mechanism, the

specificj details of construction and arrangement are ofcourse subject to modification in numerous ways without departing from thespirit of my inventlon. I therefore do o not wish to be restricted to specific details of construction and disclosed', butdesire to avail myself of all modifications' which .may ,fall within the scope of the Yappended claims. 5 Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by L'eta ters Patent is:`

1. A. control valve mechanism for gas fur- A naces comprising a supply pipe connected o to a gas burner and provided 'with a main control valve; valve actuating means v mounted 1n connection with the (control valve and actuated by gas pressure to openand close the valve; .a pilot burner having a .supply connection connected'to the supply p1pe; a pilot valve mounted in connection with said pilot supply connection; means to automatically close the pilot valve when the pilot burner is extinguished; gas supply vconnections'to deliver gas from the supthe valve opening side is closed. e

2. A control valve mechanism for gas fur-- ply to opposite sides of the control valve actuating means tov open andclose the control valve; and valve means actuated by the pilot valve to openr the connection to actuating means when the pilot valve is open, and to close said connection and open the connection' to the valv'eclosing side of said actuating means when the pilot valve naces comprising a supply pipe connected to a gas burner and provided with a main control valve; valve actuatmgimeans mounted in connection with the main control valve closed position, the

' and yieldable under gas l arrangement? as herein I the pilotv burner of the control valve.

and yieldable under gas` pressure directed upon either side of said' actuating means to open and `close `the con/trol valve; a pilot ysides of the control valve actuating means;

valve means connected to and actuated by burner member will immeburner having a supply connection Aconnectthe pilot lvalveto open and close said gas connections, the connection to the valveopening side of the actuating means being automatically opened when the pilot valve is in open position and the lconnection to the valve closing 'side being automatically opened when the pilot valve is. moved to closed y position.

3. A control valve mechanism for gas furnaces comprising a supply pipe. connected to a gas burnerand'provided wlth a main control valve; valve` actuating means mount- ,ed in connection with the main control valve pressure directed upon either side of said actuating means to open and close the control valve a pilot burner having a supply connection lconnected to a pilot'valve mounted in the supply pipe;

` the pilotf supply connecconnection with `tion to open and close the-same; lmeans to automatically close the pilot valve when is extinguished; separate gas connections to deliver ga's to opposite sides of the control valve actuating means; valve means connected to and actuated by the pilot valve to open and close saidfgas connections, the connection to the valve opening side of the actuating means being automatically opened' when the pilot valve i is in open position and the connection to the valve closing side being automatically opened when the pilot valve is moved to closed position; and vent means connected to the gas supply connections of the valve actuating means, said vent means being opened from either side of the control valve actuating means torelease gas pressure thereon when the supply connection to the opposite side is openedto direct gas pressure thereto. y

4. A control valve mechanism for gas furnaces comprising a supply pipe connected to a gas burner and providedwith a main control valve; valve actuating means mounted in connection with the main control valve and yieldable under gas pressure directed upon either side of said actuating means to open and close'the control valve; a pilot urner having a supply connection connected to the supply pipe; a pilot valve mounted 'in connection with the pilot supply connection to open and close the same; means to automatically close the pilot valve when the 30- tions to opposite pilot burner is extinguished; separate gas connections-to'deliver gas to opposite sides `of the control valve actuating means; valve means connectedto and actuated by the pilot 5 valve to .open and close said gas connections,

the connection lto the valve opening side of the actuating means being automatically opened When the pilot valve is in open position and the connection to the valve closing side being automatically opened when the pilot valve is moved to'closed position; and

separate vents adjacentto" the gas supply "connections to opposite sides of the control valve ac uating means, and communicating with the separate gas connections, -each vent` Ibein-g closed lvvhen the valve means of said connection is moved to deliver gas to the -corresponding supply connectioi and the other vent' being opened to relieve the gas pressure in the other supply connection.

5. A controlv valve mechanism' for gas' furnaces comprising a supply pipe connected to a gas burner and provided with na main control valve; valve actuating means p 5 mounted 1n connection with the main' control valve aiid yieldable under gas pressure directed upon opposite sides thereof to open and close the control valve; a connection having separate delivery connecsides of the actuating means; a pilot burner having a supply connection connected to the `supply pipe; and a pilot valve mounted in connection with the pilot supply connection to open and close the 5 same, said valve having a movable vmember movable to open and close the delivery connections .to the control valve actuating means, the delivery connection to the valve opening side of said actuating means being 0 opened when the pilot -supplylconnection is opened, and the delivery connection to the valve closing side of said actuatingmeans gas Supply.

.valve closing v valve of said actuating means being opened when.

the pilot supply connection is opened, and the delivery connection to the valve closing side of said actuating means being opened When the ilot'supply connection is closed, whereby tlie control valve is automatically .opened and closed to correspond to c the opening and closing of the pilot valve; and means to automatically close the pilot valve when the pilot burner is extinguished.

7. A control valve mechanism for gas furnaces comprising a supply pipe connected to a gas burner and provided with a main control valve; valve actuating means mountedkin connection with the main control valve and yieldable under gas pressure directed upon opposite sides thereofto openl 'and close the control valve; a gas supply connection having separate delivery connections to opposite sides ofthe actuating means; a pilot burner having a supply connection connected to the supply pipe; a pilot valve mounted in connection with the pilot supply connection to open land close the same, said valve having a movable member movable to open and close the delivery connections to the control valve actuating means, the*y delivery connection to the valve opening side ofvsaidfactuating means being opened when the lpilot supply co nection is signature. A

GEORGE A. TUCKL` .being opened when tliepilot supply-connec-Qvtion is closed, whereby theV control valve is automatically opened and closed 'to correp spend to the openingJ and closing of the pilot valve.

6. A control valve mechanism for gas furnaces comprisiiiga supply pipe connected to 0 a gas burner and provided With a main control valve; Valve actuating means mounted in connection withy the main control valve andyieldable under gas pressure directed upon opposite-sides thereof to open and close the control valve; a gas supply connection having vseparate delivery connections to oppositesides of the actuating means; a pilot burner having a supply connection connected to tlie` supply pilot supply connection to open and close the same, said valve having a movable member movable to open and close the delivery connections to the control valve actuating means, the delivery connection to the valve opening side the control valve is ipe; a pilot valve 50 mounted in connection with the izo 

